11.
Varicocele is an abnormal enlargement of the vein that is in the scrotum
draining the testicles. The testicular blood vessels originate in the abdomen
and course down through the inguinal canal as part of the spermatic cord on
their way to the testis. Upward ﬂow of blood in the veins is ensured by small
one-way valves that prevent backﬂow. Defective valves, or compression of the
vein by a nearby structure, can cause dilatation of the veins near the testis,
leading to the formation of a varicocele.

12.
these structures appear as a “ Bag of Worms”
the varicocele may invove the epididymis or not

13.
40% of infertile men have them
15% of all men have them
increase with age
large varicoceles decrease sperm numbers and T
production